Forest Park fire displaces dozens of seniors

FOREST PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Dozens of senior residents were displaced after a fire broke out in a Forest Park apartment building.

First responders from seven west suburbs responded to the call late Thursday night in the 1000-block of Des Plaines Avenue. Smoke could be seen from a distance. Firefighters found flames venting from a single apartment and heavy smoke in the hallways.

When the fire spread from the second floor, firefighters evacuated the building, officials said.

"When we came down here I saw black smoke coming out of the building," neighbor Jim Perez said. "If you walked a little bit further down, you could see flames coming out of the back side of it."

Fire damage was visible after the fire was put out. One person suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The seniors were bused to a local community center, where the Red Cross helped them find a place to stay overnight.